Ginny's Horse Product Review

I have gone horse camping in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska and Idaho, and I’ve learned a lot on those trips. I have whittled down my prep and packing stages, and I’ve figured out what does and doesn’t work in camp. I decided it was time to sit down and put pen-to-paper, or at least keyboard-to-blog, to share the lessons I’ve learned from horse camping over the years.

When I first started horse camping, I had a bumper pull trailer and a tent. From there, I got a camper shell on my truck and then moved up to a gooseneck trailer with a dressing room. It’s not exactly the glamorous living quarters (LQs) you see at some events, but it’s pretty darn comfortable, perfect for my horses, and it’s totally optimized for horse camping.

Get Organized for Horse Camping

I think organization is the KEY to a successful horse camping trip. If you’re not organized, you’re not going to be able to relax. You’re going to spend most of your time searching for important items or climbing around a mess in the truck or trailer. On one of my cross-country camping trips a couple of years ago, I was not very well organized, and it created a ton of extra work. Every time we had to pack up and unpack to go to a new campground, it was an exhausting process.

I’m happy to report that my organization skills have blossomed! Everything has a place, and I don’t pack unnecessary items. Pack what you need, and utilize Rubbermaid style tubs or other good storage items to group items together in a way that’s cohesive and makes sense. This is a little extra work on the front end, but will make life SO MUCH easier in camp.

Always Pack More Hay Than You Think You Will Need

Another great lesson I learned through many horse camping trips is to always pack more hay than you think you will need. For some reason, my horses seem to have a big appetite in camp! They always eat more than they do at home. It must be from burning all of those extra calories on the trail. Even with slow feed hay nets, you will go through a lot of hay.

If you’re camping alone, and you run out of hay, it can be a real problem, and can even cut your trip short. Thankfully, most horse people are happy to lend a few flakes here and there. If you do think you’re going to run out of hay, ask a friend or even somebody you don’t know. It might even start up a new friendship. Don’t feel bad if this happens to you. It has happened to everybody at some time or another on a horse camping trip.

BYO Shade When You Go Horse Camping

One of the BEST purchases I’ve ever made for horse camping is one of those pop-up shade tents. If you have an awning on your trailer, you probably don’t need one, but man, do they come in handy! In the past, I’ve gotten overheated and suffered from a mild heat stroke. One time, I even had to lie down underneath a truck for shade! If you’re camping in the south east or anywhere there is humidity, you DEFINITELY need to have shade.

Being able to get out of the sun is essential on a horse camping trip. I always like to setup our camping chairs and a little table under the shade tent, so it’s a great lounging spot. For me, nothing in the world feels worse than being overheated and on the verge of a heat stroke, so I have to take care of myself and make sure I’m strong enough to enjoy the trip.

When in Doubt, Use Hoof Protection

If your horses are barefoot, you definitely want to make sure to have hoof boots when you go horse camping. If you have been to a place before, and you know the trails are barefoot-friendly, you probably don’t need hoof protection. If you’re going to a new place, always bring hoof protection. You would rather your horse has protection than sore feet at the end of the day.

A stone bruised or sore-footed horse will cut your horse camping trip short, so don’t risk it. If your horse is shod, this part probably doesn’t apply to you. However, a hoof boot makes a great “spare tire” should your horse throw a shoe on a camping trip!

Utilize Hay Nets!

Slow feed (small hole) hay nets are truly the greatest equine invention since sliced bread. When I go horse camping, I always use slow feed hay nets. I stuff these nets to the brim, and usually only need to refill them once a day. When my friends are getting up early to throw hay to cranky horses, my horses are still content with plenty of hay left in their nets.

Since horse camping often means your horse is confined to a stall, small corral or maybe even tied to the trailer, there is definitely the potential for boredom or ulcers. Slow feed hay nets are a great convenience for me, and they also give me peace of mind that my horses have forage to keep their minds occupied and their bellies full.

Pack Bug Spray, Even if it’s Not Bug Season

Always pack bug spray, for you and your horse, even if it’s not bug season. I learned this lesson the hard way. Earlier this year, we went to Bruneau Dunes State Park in Bruneau, Idaho. It was early spring, and we hadn’t seen one bug yet for the year. Although Bruneau was only about a half hour from where we live, the climate was totally different, and the evening gnats were awful!

I hadn’t even bought any horse fly spray yet for the year. We ended up using an old people-bug spray on our horses to give them some relief. We tried to take an evening ride on the first day, and the horses were so mad, I thought we might both get dumped! Thankfully, the horses always travel with fly masks, so we put those on and did our best with the human bug spray. It helped, a little.

BYO Wiz Palace

Bring Your Own Wiz Palace! If you have a fancy living quarters trailer, you don’t need to worry about this. I went horse camping for YEARS without a portable toilet, but now that I have one I will never go back! Leaving the trailer in the middle of the night to pee can be awful! If it’s raining or freezing out, the last thing you want to do is go outside to wiz. A portable toilet has ABSOLUTELY changed my life on horse camping trips.

I’ve been at camps where the bathroom is literally over a half mile away, and if camp is reasonably crowded, you may not feel comfortable popping-a-squat to wiz. That’s why a portable toilet is such a great idea.

I got mine of Amazon for around 10 bucks. It’s a toilet seat, that you can put on a bucket. I use trash bags filled with kitty litter in mine, and only use it to pee in. I replace the bag daily. It’s the perfect answer for the middle of the night, when you REALLY need to wiz, but don’t want to leave the trailer!

TLC For Your Horse While Camping

Horse camping and trail riding can be strenuous and stressful on your horses, so remember to pamper them and give them plenty of TLC. On horse camping trips, I always like to bring really good treats and spend quality time with my horses. I want this to be a positive experience, and not just an exhausting event in a new place. Do your best to make sure it’s a relaxing and fun trip for your horse. It’s not just about you.

There are a variety of ways to pamper your horse on a camping trip. Taking them for frequent walks is a great bonding exercise and helps to loosen up their muscles, especially if they’re tied or cooped up in a stall for the duration of the trip. Also, I always like to liniment or poultice my horses after tough rides. This gives me a chance to feel their muscles and legs, and they totally zone out, so it must be relaxing for them too.

Pack Carrots on The Trail

Fill your saddlebag or fanny pack with carrots before you hit the trail! Packing carrots on trail is my number-one secret weapon on horse camping trips. First of all, carrots are full of water. At new places, you may never know how close you are to the next watering hole, so carrying moisture-rich carrots can help to keep your horse going. Second, carrots have electrolytes in them, so they can provide a little boost to your horse on trail

Finally, carrots are one of the BEST ways to improve equine morale on the trail. You never know what you’re going to find on a new trail. It could be more strenuous than you imagined, or you could find yourself lost, with a long way back to the trailer. This also goes back to making sure my horses have a great time while horse camping, and nothing will perk your horse’s mood up like a carrot, so make sure to pack plenty in your saddlebags before you hit the trail.

Take Care of Yourself on a Horse Camping Trip

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while horse camping is about self-care. You can’t enjoy your trip or even take good care of your horse if you’re suffering from exhaustion, fatigue or heat stroke. Take good care of yourself, so you can have a wonderful time. I know a lot of us horse people, me included, can neglect ourselves, while providing top-notch care to our horses. Unfortunately, that can only work for so long, because at some point, you’re going to break.

Remember to drink plenty of water and eat good foods when you’re horse camping. If you didn’t sleep well, find the time to take a nap. Taking care of yourself is hands down, one of the most important lessons to learn horse camping. Don’t learn the hard way like I did.

Relax and Enjoy The Great Outdoors

Finally, relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Breathe in the smells and close your eyes and listen to the sounds in camp. Nothing is more soothing to the soul than unplugging from technology and taking your horse camping. Try not to rush, and just enjoy the moment. Practice yoga at sunrise or engage in meditation in the late afternoon. Whatever you do, just try to live in the moment when you’re horse camping

Horse camping is a luxury that not many people get to experience in life. Even when it’s tough, and the weather isn’t cooperating or other challenges are popping up, take every moment in stride. Each horse camping trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create memories with your horses and share bonding experiences with good friends and loved ones.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, there are so many lessons I’ve learned while horse camping. Some of them, I’ve learned the hard way, and some the easy way. I hope the information in this blog helps you to have a smooth and enjoyable trip the next time you take your horse camping. Listed below are the lessons I’ve learned horse camping from North Carolina to Idaho, and beyond

Lessons I learned Horse Camping

• Get organized.
• Pack more hay than you think you will need.
• Bring Your Own Shade.
• When in doubt, use hoof protection.
• Utilize hay nets.
• Pack bug spray, year round.
• BYO wiz palace.
• Give your horse plenty of TLC while camping.
• Pack carrots on the trail.
• Take care of yourself.
• Relax and enjoy the great outdoors

From small state parks and private campgrounds to historic national preserves, there are still so many places I want to go horse camping. Where is a bucket list place you want to take your horse camping? Let me know in the comment section!

Until next time, Happy Trails!